Under the direction of Marco Castellaneta (46), Ringier expanded its Entertainment field of business resolutely and goal-oriented. The four areas Radio (Energy Zürich, Energy Bern), Films (Ringier TV, PresseTV, Grundy, Sat.1 Schweiz AG, Teleclub AG), Events (Good News AG, The Classical Company AG, Rose d’Or AG) and Event/Services (Ticketcorner AG, Pool Position AG, InfrontRingier AG) all have good growth today.
Following the completed startup phase, Mr. Castellaneta has requested to take a sabbatical and continuing education courses to concentrate on a new area of work. As Administrative Board President of Rose d’Or AG, he is going to expand the festival activities in Lucerne and build up the international TV contest. He represents Ringier in the radio business within the context of his administrative board positions in Energy Holding AG and SMC AG.
Marc Walder, CEO Ringier Switzerland and Germany, commented on the change of jobs of Mr. Castellaneta: «The new area of Entertainment is in an excellent position only two years after its founding. Marco Castellaneta started and developed this area successfully. In the next step, it is going to be a question of strengthening the individual sectors. Mr. Castellaneta will still play an important role for Ringier in the further development of Rose d’Or AG and the radio sector with the brand Energy.»
Stefan Kastenmüller (48) will be the new Managing Director of Ringier Entertainment. Born in Munich, he worked as Head of Marketing (GSA) at MTV Networks in London and founded the advertising and film production agency «Katze Productions» in 1996. In 1999, Mr. Kastenmüller became the managing partner of the brand agency argoBrand GmbH and managing director of the Internet agency argonauten GmbH in Munich. In 2003, Mr. Kastenmüller was appointed Deputy Managing Director and Marketing & Adsales Director at the children’s television station JETIX of the Walt Disney Company. His was named CEO in 2006 and was responsible for the pay-TV business, co-productions, program purchasing, licensing & merchandising.
Mr. Kastenmüller worked for UFA Film & TV Produktion GmbH in Potsdam starting in August 2009 and was responsible for expanding the strategic field of business, especially in the areas of Corporate Media, Talent Management, Merchandising & Rights for UFA Cinema and Branded Entertainment for companies and brands.
As managing director of UFA brand communication, Mr. Kastenmüller was appointed a member of the Management Board of UFA in March 2010. UFA is the parent company of all German production activities of Fremantle Media, which manages the global production business of the RTL Group belonging to Bertelsmann. Mr. Kastenmüller will take up his new position at Ringier on 15 September 2011. Marc Walder, CEO Ringier Switzerland and Germany, said about the new appointment: «Ringier is obtaining a proven and internationally experienced person with Stefan Kastenmüller for the strategically important growth sector of Entertainment.»
Ringier Switzerland Communications